Seetha Kalyanam

Seetha Kalyanam

Seeta, more commonly known as Sita, is a character in Hindu theology. She is the wife of Rama, and as such is one of the main characters in the Ramayana. Hindu epics commonly use leading characters to represent male / female duality; as such, Seeta represents the female (Prakriti) and is believed to be the incarnation of the Mother goddess. Rama, the protagonist in the tale Ramayana, is Seeta's husband. He represents the male or the 'Purusha'.

The word 'Kalyanam' means marriage in Sanskrit, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil. The occasion of her marriage to Rama is celebrated as Vivaha Panchami which falls on Margashirsha Shukla Panchami as per Valmiki Ramayana. In the Hindu religion, Rama and Seeta are avatars, or reincarnations, of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Another famous divine couple, Krishna and Raadha, are also reincarnations of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Both divine couples are reborn on Earth to expunge frightful enemies that cannot otherwise be overcome. The relationship between Vishnu & Lakshmi, Rama & Seeta, and Krishna & Radha is widely regarded by Hindus as the perfect love; as such, the style of their marriages (or "kalyanam") as described in ancient Hindu writings is used as the baseline for Hindu marriages today. This article discusses Rama & Seeta's marriage, or kalyanam, in particular.

There are two ways of conducting Seeta Kalyanam. The age old, vedic and traditional method which is the prescribed method of marriage that every Hindu still follows. There is the Naama Sankeerthanam method. In the Naama Sankeerthanam tradition, the marriage is conducted by Bhagavathas (devotees who sing the Lord's praise). This tradition consists of two phases: